Sunday, May 6, 2018

Faith to chase Your dream

Do you have enough of faith to chase after your dream? That's a tough question to answer, especially today in a world that thrives and functions on competitiveness.

Growing up, I was interested in writing but didn't know how to pursue it. I remember asking my 12th grade English teacher about pursuing a writing career.

"You need to attend a college with a good English department," was her only response. I didn't have a clue on how to determine which colleges had good English departments or not. I spoke with my guidance counselor and expressed my desire to attend a college with a good English department because I wanted to be a writer. "Pick something else," she shook her head at me sitting in her office. "You'll starve to death." I remember how angry I became slamming the door behind me as I stormed out of her office.

A few years after high school life responsibilities took over and my dreams were put on the back burner.

For twenty years, my desire to write not once faded nor dwindled. It became stronger. While writing my first book, 'A Sister's Love', I accepted it would be my only book and my life as I knew it would return to normal: work, home, church on Sundays, repeat. But it didn't. I had no warning another book idea would develop from driving down highway US 1 near Sanford, NC after seeing a small log cabin nestled in the trees facing a small man-made lake. Or on a hot, muggy July morning watching a man walk down I-95 carrying a huge backpack with a small American flag displayed on it.

Every time my mind reverts to the negative excuses and reasons why I shouldn't write or I'm not a good writer I'm reminded why I love to write. It's not about gaining fame or money. I have a deep desire to share my stories with great hope they will someday inspire others to follow their dreams.

So, what about you? Do you have faith to pursue your dream? The first step is acknowledging your dream. Easy, right? The second step is to write a plan of action to achieve your dream. Even if baby steps, it's a walk on faith in the right direction towards your dream.